§ Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking on the draft European Community directive on data protection; and whether he will publish the report of the interdepartmental review committee on the Data Protection Act 1984.
§ Mr. WaddingtonMy Department is writing to interested organisations inviting comments on the draft directive and related measures which have been issued by the Commission of the European Communities. I am also placing in the Library of the House, and sending to the same organisations, copies of the report of the interdepartmental committee. The need for legislation will be considered when negotiations on the directive have been completed.